DA: Counselors called Pa. mom before son's death

SCRANTON -- Prosecutors say telephone records show counselors reached out to a Pennsylvania woman now accused in the death of her mentally disabled son, but she never responded.

Police allege 32-year-old Robert Gensiak's body was covered with sores and he weighed just 69 pounds when he died in March. Susan Gensiak, 59, of Taylor, Lackawanna County, and her daughters, Joan, 35, and Rebekah, 24, were charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and neglect of care for a dependent person.

Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Tierney said the Scranton Counseling Center made numerous calls offering to help the women between 2009 and 2010, but the offers were ignored. Court records allege the women said they had no transportation to get him to a doctor.

Investigators say the suspects were concerned about losing his government assistance. Robert Gensiak died March 20, the day after the weakened patient was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Authorities interviewed the family the day after his death, during which "family members expressed concern that if Robert was placed in a personal care facility they would lose the financial support they received for him each month," said an affidavit of probable cause.

Robert Gensiak had not received medical attention since 2009, according to the affidavit.